Which of the following best summarizes negligence?

Negligence is defined as a failure to exercise the level of care that a reasonably prudent person would in similar circumstances, which leads to harm or damages to another person. This definition aligns precisely with the option that states a failure to exercise reasonable care resulting in damages. In such cases, the injured party can often seek compensation for their losses if they can establish that the negligence of another party was the direct cause of their injury or damage.

The other options do not encapsulate the essence of negligence. A violation of a contract refers to breach of contract law, which involves failing to fulfill contractual obligations rather than failing to act with reasonable care. Intentionally harming another individual describes an intentional tort, which is fundamentally different from negligence, as it involves a purposeful act rather than an unintentional lack of care. Lastly, a legal defense against liability involves arguments made in response to claims of negligence, rather than a summary of what negligence itself entails. Thus, the second option correctly captures the key components of negligence within tort law.